King of Diamonds

Back with a new post and a new piece.  Finished up this one for another challenge (I love ’em!).  The topic was “Playing Cards.”  So after some research, I found out that in the Paris Court, the King of Diamonds was referred to as Julius Caesar.

My illustration went a different route than what you see represented in the marble busts of Caesar.  Most of the busts show him as noble and having smooth features.  Nah!  I went with him sneering, wrinkly, and having cataracts.  Why?  Well, I wanted to show him stressed out and perhaps knowing that death was just around the corner.  And having that dagger dangling in front of him didn’t help his mood either I’m sure.

Lot of fun to work on!  More to come.